YearToAvoid

2018 Toyota Tacoma Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

33/100

#11 most-complained of 16 Tacoma years

The 2018 Toyota Tacoma has a complaint index of 33, ranking 11th worst among 16 model years, earning a "Good" rating relative to other Tacomas. It has 206 complaints, 3 recalls, and no fires reported, with Fuel System issues topping the list at 32% share.

Complaints
206
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
7 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
20
18.5 city / 22 hwy

Top 2018 Toyota Tacoma problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Fuel System65 (32%)
  2. Brakes48 (23%)
  3. Engine40 (19%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain29 (14%)
  5. Other26 (13%)
  6. Structure & Body17 (8%)
  7. Electrical System16 (8%)
  8. Collision Avoidance & Cameras11 (5%)
  9. Steering6 (3%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (3%)

What owners report

  • Brake master cylinder can suddenly lose boost pressure, causing the pedal to drop to the floor with little or no warning.
  • Some drivers report the truck failing to brake in time while backing out of parking spaces or garages, leading to low-speed collisions.
  • Side airbags reportedly failed to deploy during a T-bone collision, and in another incident airbags did not deploy in a rear-end crash.
  • Fuel system recall repairs were reportedly delayed due to parts unavailability at dealers.
  • Adaptive cruise control and headlight systems have reportedly shown a sudden 'malfunction' warning and dropped speed unexpectedly while driving on the highway.
  • In cold weather, some trucks reportedly would not start due to apparent fuel delivery problems after sitting for hours.
2018 Toyota Tacoma complaints: complaints filed per quarter392018 Q12019 Q22020 Q32021 Q42023 Q12024 Q32025 Q4
273 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2018 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2020 Q3 (39).

2018 Toyota Tacoma recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 20V682000Nov 4, 2020Fuel System1,525,742 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

    Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.

  2. NHTSA 20V012000Jan 13, 2020Fuel System1,830,752 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

    Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.

  3. NHTSA 18V888000Dec 13, 2018Brakes44,121 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Toyota Tacoma vehicles. Improper machining of the brake master cylinder may result in internal damage of one of the seals, affecting brake performance.

    Risk: Reduced brake performance can lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge. The recall began January 28, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J16/J06.

2018 Toyota Tacoma fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18.5 MPG
Highway
22 MPG
Combined
20 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,250
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2018 compared with other Tacoma years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2016Caution67323420
2017Caution60239520
2018Good33206320
2019Caution73218420
2020Best787120

All Toyota Tacoma years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
Relative to other Tacoma model years, the 2018 has a complaint index of 33 and ranks 11th worst out of 16 years tracked, earning a "Good" verdict. It has 206 complaints and 3 recalls.
What is the top problem area for the 2018 Toyota Tacoma?
Fuel System issues are the top problem area, accounting for 32% of complaints (65 complaints), with a median mileage at failure of 23,000 miles.
Does the 2018 Toyota Tacoma have a brake recall?
Yes. Recall 18V888000 covers improper machining of the brake master cylinder that could damage a seal and affect braking; Toyota replaces the brake master cylinder free of charge.
Does the 2018 Toyota Tacoma have a fuel pump recall?
Yes, two recalls (20V682000 and 20V012000) cover fuel pump assembly replacement due to potential fuel pump failure.
How does the 2018 Tacoma compare to other years?
The 2018 Tacoma ranks better than years like 2010, 2012, 2024, and 2025, which are rated "Avoid," but it is not as strong as years like 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2020, which are rated "Best."

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.